Who would win a State of Origin one-gamer showdown?

With Game 1 of this year’s State of Origin series around the corner, it’s a good opportunity to revisit the one-game wonders of State of Origin history.

If they were to play each other, who would have the edge – the Blues or the Maroons?

The Blues
Fullback Craig Hancock (Manly – 1995)
Wing Phillip Duke (Moree Boomerangs – 1982)
Centre Michael Beuttner (North Sydney Bears – 1997)
Centre Phil Blake (South Sydney – 1989)
Wing Ricky Walford (St George – 1990)
Five Eighth Tony Melrose (South Sydney – 1982 )
Halfback Kevin Hastings (Eastern Suburbs – 1983) (c)
Lock Terry Campese (Canberra Raiders – 2009)
Second Row Bob Cooper (Western Suburbs – 1980)
Second Row Steve Bowden (Newtown Jets – 1981)
Front Row Ryan O’Hara (Canberra Raiders – 2004)
Hooker Steve Edge (St George – 1980)
Front Row Tony Butterfield (Newcastle Knights – 1998)

The NSW wing positions were the most hotly contested in the Blues side, with many one-gamers such as Nathan Merritt (South Sydney), Darren Albert (Newcastle), Hasem El-Masri (Canterbury) and John Hopoate (Manly).

While El-Masri’s sublime goal kicking was considered important in a close match, and Hoppa’s finger skills could get under the skin of the Maroons, it was decided to give the positions to the fleet of foot Ricky Walford from the Saints and Phillip Duke, who had to be selected as the sole representative of the Moree Boomerangs.

Nathan Merritt was relegated to 18th man.

The second rowers were selected purely for mongrel rather than any other trait. Wests’ Bob Cooper has the distinction of serving the equal longest suspension in rugby league history, while Newtown’s Steve Bowden was one of two players sin-binned in the 1981 State of Origin match and also missed the 1981 grand final due to suspension.

That’s the sort of mongrel the Blues need to give it to those Maroons.

Terry Campese was selected at lock simply to annoy people and slow the game down for the Blues.

Queensland
Fullback Grant Rix (Fortitude Valley – 1986)
Wing Owen Cunningham (Manly – 1996)
Centre David Stagg (Canterbury – 2006)
Centre Adrian Vowles (Gold Coast Seagulls – 1994)
Wing Terry Butler (Wynnum Manly – 1983)
Five Eighth Greg Holben (Eastern Suburbs – 1982)
Halfback Nathan Fien (North Queensland – 2001)
Lock Scott Sattler (Penrith Panthers – 2003)
Second Row Scott Tronc (Brisbane Broncos – 1988)
Second Row Rod Reddy (St George – 1980)
Front Row Arthur Beetson (Parramatta – 1980) (c)
Hooker John Lang (Eastern Suburbs – 1980)
Front Row Danny Nutley (Cronulla – 2005)

The Maroons have had considerably fewer one-gamers than the Blues over the past three decades, but their strength is their forward pack, headed by Immortal Arthur Beetson and Danny Nutley.

Queensland took a leaf out of the Blues book by picking a player out of position, with Owen Cunningham selected on the wing, simply because selectors ran out of one-gamers.

Verdict?
Although the Blues have the classier backline, games are won in the forwards so for mine it’s Queensland 8-6 NSW.